Vania



Aug.l 1.4, 1923. v Re. ISJ/z v M. T. T HOMAS FLEXIBLE SHAFT GOUPLING Original Filed Feb. 19, 1916` 2 Sheets-Sheet, 1

l im@ Aug. 14, 1923. y Re. 15,672

. M. T. THOMAS v A FLEXI BLE SHAFT COUPLI NG original Filed Feb. 19, 1916 2 Smets-sheet 2 Reima@v Aug.. '14, 1923:

. pling whereby to flexibly connect shaft secj' UNITED STATES PAIE-NT .oi-Fica vMILLWAED T. THOMAS, 0E TROY, PENNSYLVANIAQAS'SIGNOE To THOMAS FLEXIBLE coUrLING coMrANYf 0E ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, A coEronATIoN or .PENNSYL- VANIA.

Original No. l1,188,113, dated June 20, 1916, Serial No. 79,375, 'filed February 19, 1916. \App1ication' FLEXIBLE SHAFT coUrLING.

for reissue 111e@ January 6, 1917.. Seri/a1 No. 149,874.

A' To all `'whom it my. concern.'

Be it known that I, MILLWARD T'. THOMAS, a citizenof the United States,'and a resident ofi, Troy, in the countyT of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Flexible Shaft Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relatesv generally to shaft couplings, and particularly to a coutions in such mannerV as to permit of each Y -section assuming an angular position without affecting the transmission .of rotative movement from one to the other, and'my object is to provide a coupling, the structural parts of which aresimple, durable, and inexpensive, and at' the same time of such anature as to provide for the use of laminated flexible rings and, from the nature of the said rings, obviate all danger of crystallization in use. l

In the accompanying drawingswherein my invention is shown,- Figure 1 is a rf f spective view of the coupling complete. ig.

2 is a similar view wherein the connections for the iiexible parts are shownl in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view,

` partly broken away and in section, illustrating one of the Shaft sections with the cou pling member and the flexible connection. Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating one of .the Shaft heads removed, and partly broken away and in section., Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the com,- plete coupling.. f Fig. 6 isa vertical cross section taken therethrough substantially on line 6 6 of Fig, 5. `Fig. 7 is a similar view taken therethrough substantially .on line 7-7 of Fig. 5.4 Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the coup'ling illustrating flexing movement of the'- parts.

Referring now to these figures, each of the sha-ft sections A and B, one ofA which may be the driving shaft, is provided adjacent its connected end with an enlarged annular head 10 provided at its outer face with a reduced .extension 11 lterminating sulfystantially flush with the end of the shaft as seen in Fig. 5, the head with its extension 11 being keyed to the shaft by keys 12 which are driven. into position through internal guideways 13 of the head and are provided with concave cutting ends '14 which cut away portions of the shaft as the keys advance.-

The'two-heads 1O-ofv the connected sections A and B are identical in structure, and each 'is provided with an annular series.

of alternating openings 15 and recesses 16 lin its outer face around the extension 11,

both the openings 15 and recesses 16 having their axes parallel to the axis of the head.

The recesses 16 extend onlyl partly through the head, while thev openings 15 project lentirely therethrough and are pro-- posite faces in line with the openings 15 of -the-twov heads 10,' as best seen at 'F ig. -5,

wherein the recesses of the coupling member are indicated at 20, and bya comparison of Figs; 6 and 7.

The bore 2l of the coupling member rei 'oeives .the extensions 11 of the heads 10 loosely therein, and between the coupling member so disposed and theheads 10 are arranged laminated 'flexible rings 22,` said ringsl extending around the extensions 11 just mentioned and spaced therefrom as well as from the coupling member. 19 and the two heads 10.

Each of the rings 22 is provided `with an annular series of openings in alinement with the openings .15 and recesses 16 of the heads,

and each ringis connected to its respective head by means of bolts 23'extending through certain openingsI of the ring and through the openings 15 of the head, thesebolts being engaged at their outer endsby.l the tubular nuts 18 before mentioned, and being rengaged at their opposite ends and upon the rela- .tively opposite side of the ring from the. Ahead,by -nuts 24, which latter extend into the recesses 20 at the adjacent side of the coupling member 19 and against springs 25 disposed in said recesses, the ring' being maintained in spaced relation to the head to which it is thus connected, by washers 26 interposed therebetween and around the bolts 23.

Each ring 22 is also connected to the adjacent side of the coupling member 19 by ion f machineA screws 27 extending through the;

other ring openings in a direction relatively opposite to the direction-of the bolts 23, the said machine screws 27 being threaded into conforming openings in the coupling member and having washers 28 thereon between the ring and the coupling member whereby to suitably space the same, the heads of the machine screws entering the recesses 16 of the adjacent head 10. Thus the several machine screws 27 connecting the rings with .the coupling member alternate with the bolts 23 vconnecting the, ring with' theadjacent head 10, and theparts may thus be readily disassembled by removing the tubular nuts 18. Furthermore, the flexing rings 22 ofthe particular nature described, being connected at alternate points to the coupling member and the heads, enable'each of the shaft sections A and B to assume angular positions, within certain limits of course, 4withvout materially affecting the transmissionl yof :rotative m'ovfement from one to the other. In addition to thiseach of the rings, being of the particular construction described and being supported and held as shown in spaced relation to the parts connected and in such ymanner as to nor` mally remain in a` single plane, the particular construction obviates as far as possible all danger of crystallization which, due to the strains in use, is a factor most to be feared in devices of this nature.

I claim 1. In a flexible shaft coupling, the combination of' shaft sections to be connected, heads secured upon the ends of the shafts and having reduced extensions projecting tow-ard one another, each of said heads being provided withran annular kseries'of openings and recesses extending in its outer face around said extension ,and `alternating throughout the series, the said openings extending entirely through the head and having counterbores at their opposite ends, a tubular connecting member disposed in V spaced relation between the opposing heads and into the bore of which the extensionsof said heads loosely project, laminated ilexible rings disposedbetween `the said heads and the 'said coupling member and extend` ing around the extensions of the heads in spaced relation thereto and to. the-heads and t openings and recesses extending in itsopposlte faces and respectively alining with the recesses and openings of the heads, machine screws extending through the rings and into the threaded openings of the coupling member, the heads of which screws are received in the recesses of the opposin shaft heads,bolts extending throughthe ot er ring openings havingjnuts upon one end thereof extending within the recesses of the coupling member, springs within said recesses and against which the said nuts abut, the opposite ends of the said bolts extending within the openings of the shaft heads, tubular nuts within the said oounterbores and engaging the last mentioned ends of the bolts, and spacing members disposed around the said bolts and machine screws respectively between the rings land the shaft-heads and coupling member.

2. In a flexible shaft coupling, the combination with shaftsections to be connected, of heads secured upon said shaft sections in opposing relation and provided with reduced extensions at their opposing faces, a tubular coupling member between and in' spaced relation to the said opposing heads and into the bore of which the said beadextensionsloosely project, laminated flexible rings disposed i'n the spaces between the said.` shaft headsand the said coupling member and surrounding the extensions of the heads in spaced relation thereto and to the coupling member, and series of connecting members for securing the said rings in spaced relation to the shaft heads and the couplinggmember, extending around' each ring, the connectingmembers of the head and` thoseof the coupling member being in alternating relation.

3. In -a flexible shaft coupling, the com-` bination with shaft sectionsfto be connected, of heads secured upon said shaft sections in opposing relation and provided with reduced extensions at their opposing faces, a tubular coupling member between and in spaced relation to the said opposin 'heads and into the bore of which the sai head extensions loosely project, laminated flexible Arings disosed in the spaces between the. said shaft eads ,and the said coupling member and surrounding the extensions of the heads in spaced relation thereto and to the coupling member, connecting members for securing the said rings in spaced relation to the shaft heads and the coupling member extending around each ring, the connecting members of the head 'and those ofthe coupling mem-` ber being in alternating relation and tubular nuts' having bearings in the shaft heads and engaging certain of the said connecting members. 'y

4. In a flexible shaft coupling, the. combination with shaft sections to be connected, of heads secured upon said shaft sections in opposing relation and provided with reduced extensions at theiropposing faces, a tubular coupling member 'between and in spaced relation to the said opposing heads and into the bore of which thesaid extensions loosely project, laminated flexible rings disposed in the spaces between the said shaft heads and the coupling member and surrounding the extensions of the heads in spaced relation thereto and ,to the coupling Y member, and means kfor securing the saidr v l ranged vadjacent said head, having adriving rings in spaced relation to the shaft heads and the coupling member.

5. In a shaft coupling, the combination of cylindrical heads adapted to be attached to shaft sections to be connected, a cylin# drical coupling member between and in spaced relation to the said heads, and ilexible rings in vthe'rspaces between the said heads `and the coupling member and spaced therefrom and fastened at intervals to said heads and member respectively.

6. In a shaft coupling, the combination of cylindrical shaft heads, an intermediate cylindrical member between and spaced from said heads,lam inated flexible rings disposed in the spaces between said heads and member spaced therefrom, and spaced fasteningV devices arranged in alternation and connecting said 'rings to said member and-headsrespectively.

7 In a shaft coupling, thecombination of I- cylindrical shaft heads, an intermediate cylindrical coupling member between and spaced from said heads and having opposite faces opposed to the faces of said heads respectively, a laminated flexible ring disposed in the space between each face of said member and the face of theadjacent 'head and 'spaced therefrom, and connecting devices between vthe opposite sides of said ring and the member and head respectively, said connecting devices being disposed in alternation on opposite sides of .the ring.

8. vIn a shaft coupling, the combination of heads adapted to be secured to shaft sections vin opposing relation and provided with rel duced extensions at their opposing faces, a

recessed coupling member between and in spaced relation to said heads and into the recesses of which said extensions ,loosely project, flexible ringsin the spaces between said heads and the coupling member and sur-v member disposed between said heads overi said extensions having a driving connection therewith, flex1ble rings disposed between f said/heads and coupling member, and means y for alternately securing said rlngs to Asaid couplingJ member and heads.

10. In a shaft coupling.`cylindrical shaft heads, an intermediate cylindrical coupling member arranged adjacent said head, and having a driving connection with said heads, and ilexible rings disposed between said member and said heads and spaced there-'- from and alternately secured to said heads and coupling member. p

11. In a shaft coup1ing, shaft heads, an

intermediate annular coupling member arconnection with said heads, and' flexible rings disposed between said coupling'member and said headsand spacedfrom the opposing faces thereof and alternately connected at three point'sto said heads and said 'coupling member.

12. In a shaft coupling, the-combination I of vheads adapted to be attached to the shaftsections to be connected, a coupling member between and in spaced relation to said heads and having a driving connection therewith, A

and flexible rings in the spaces between the said heads and the coupling. member and spaced lfrom the opposing faces of said membcrs'and fastened at intervals to said heads and member respectively.`

'13. In a' shaft coupling,the combination of shaft heads, an intermediate member between and slightlyJ spaced from said heads having a driving connection between said heads and coupling member, laminated ilexible rings disposed in the spaces between and spaced from the opposing. faces of 'said heads and membenand spaced fastening devices arranged in alternation and connecting 14. In a shaftcoupling, the combination of shaftheads, an intermediate coupling memberl between and slightly spaced from said-heads and having opposing faces opposite to the faces of said heads respectively, a. driving connection between said coupling member and heads,and a laminatedflexible ring disposed in the lspace between each face of said' member and the face of the adjacent. head and spaced from the opposing faces of said members, and connecting devices beto saidmember and heads respec tween the opposing sides .of said lring and the member-and head respectively, said connecting devices being disposed in alternation on opposite sides of the ring.

15. A flexiblesha'ft coupling, comprising a pair of cylindrical heads adapted to be securedon the ends of the shaft to be connected, a cylindrical coupling member disposed between'saidheads having a driving connection with said hea-ds, and flexible rings. disposed between said coupling member and said heads and spaced from the opposing -ble ringsarranged between and spaced from the opposing faces of said members, and a1 y ternately secured to the opposing faces of said members. y

- 17. A flexibleshaft coupling composed of a series of ymembers spaced an equal distance apart. lexible rings in the spaces between said members andspaoed from the opposing faces thereof, and spaced fastening devices l 0 arranged in alternation and connecting said rings to the -members respectively.

18. In a shafty coupling, the combination of heads adapted to be attached to the shaft sections. to be connected, provided with recesses in their opposing faces, a coupling member arranged between said heads having recesses in its faces', flexible rings arranged between said members, bolts for alternately|` ,connecting said rings to said heads' and coupling members extending into the recesses .of saidrheads and coupling members, and

springs disposed in therecesses of the cou'- pling members engaging said bolt;

19. In a fiexiblepshaft coupling, the Jcombination of-headsvadapted yto be-attached toi "ject, and meansto clamp said rings upon said elements.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two' witnesses.

MILLWARD" T. THOMAS.V

Witnesses:

FRANCIS KEEFE, EDWARD A. WILcox. 

